Books - Sources
Octoechos - Mode 1.
On Sunday Morning
Menaion - December 18-24
Sunday Before Christmas
__________
MATINS
CHOIR
Mode 1.
God is the Lord, and He revealed Himself to us. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord. [SAAS]
Verse 1: Give thanks to the Lord and call upon His holy name.
Verse 2: All the nations surrounded me, but in the name of the Lord I defended myself against them.
Verse 3: And this came about from the Lord, and it is wonderful in our eyes.
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Apolytikion.
Mode 1. Automelon.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
The stone having been sealed by the Pharisees and chief priests, * and Your all-immaculate body being guarded by soldiers, * You rose on the third day, O Lord and Savior, granting life unto the world. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your resurrection, O Christ! * Glory to Your eternal rule! * Glory to Your plan for saving us, only benevolent God!” [GOASD]
Glory. For the Fathers.
Mode 2.
Magnificent are the accomplishments of faith! The holy Three Servants greatly rejoiced, as they stood in the fountain of fire, as if beside the still waters; and the Prophet Daniel appeared to be a shepherd of lions, as if they were sheep. At their entreaties, O Christ God, save our souls. [SD]
Both now. For the Forefeast.
Mode 4.
O Bethlehem, prepare, Eden is opened unto all. * And be ready, Ephrata, for the Tree of life * has in the grotto blossomed forth from the Virgin. * Indeed her womb is shown to be spiritually * a Paradise, in which is found the God-planted Tree. * And if we eat from it we shall live, and shall not die, as did Adam of old. * Christ is born, so that He might raise up * the formerly fallen image. [SD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For Yours is the dominion, and Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Kathisma I.
From Octoechos - - -
Mode 1. Automelon.
The soldiers who were guarding Your tomb became like dead men, * O Savior, when Your Angel appeared there like lightning * and said to the women that You had risen, as You had said. * We now worship You, our only God, and extol You, * for You conquered death and dissolution, O Master, * and rose from the sepulcher. [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 1. The soldiers.
Τὸν τάφον σου Σωτήρ.
O merciful Lord, nailed to the Cross of Your own will, * O Giver of Life, laid in a tomb as a mortal, * by death You destroyed the power of death, as the Mighty One. * For the doorkeepers of Hades quaked when they saw You. * With yourself You raised those who were long dead, O Savior * supremely benevolent. [GOASD]
Both now. For the Forefeast.
Mode pl. 2. When the angelic powers.
The sayings of the Prophets are being now fulfilled, * for our God shall be born in the days to come * ineffably from Mary the Virgin, and He remains * what He was before childbirth. * The Magi have been gathered, bearing their precious gifts. * In the fields are the shepherds. And we sing a hymn to Him * who from a Virgin was born, “Glory to You, O Lord.” [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Kathisma II.
Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
The women were at the tomb early in the morning. * When they saw a vision of angels, trembling came upon them. * The sepulcher was radiating life, and the dazzling marvel astonished them. * They departed and ran to proclaim the resurrection to the Disciples. * “Christ, the only strong and mighty Lord, * has divested Hades of its spoils. * He has freed the dead from fear of condemnation * by the power of the Cross and raised them all with himself.” [GOASD]
Glory.
Mode 1. The stone having been sealed.
Τοῦ λίθου σφραγισθέντος.
O Life of all, You were nailed to the Cross. * Immortal Lord, You were counted among the dead. * You rose on the third day, O Savior, and resurrected Adam from decay. * Then the powers of the heavens cried out to You, O Giver of Life, and shouted, * “Glory to Your sufferings, O Christ! * Glory to Your resurrection! * Glory to Your condescension, only benevolent God!” [GOASD]
Both now. For the Forefeast.
Mode pl. 4. The army of the Angels.
The army of the Angels appearing silenced * the song of shepherds pipes. And the Angel uttered, * Stop in the field abiding, * O you the governors of animals. * Cry out in exaltation, * for Christ the Lord has been born today. * It is His will to save the human race, * as God, in His good pleasure. [SD]
Resurrectional Evlogetaria.
Mode pl. 1.
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the hosts of the Angels saw how You were accounted among the dead, they all marveled. You, O Savior, are the One who destroyed the might of death; and when You arose You raised Adam with yourself and from Hades liberated everyone. [SD]
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
“Why do you mingle the ointments with your tears full of pity, O women disciples?” Thus the Angel who was shining in the tomb cried to the myrrh-bearing women. “See for yourselves the empty tomb and understand, that the Savior has risen from the sepulcher.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
Very early in the morning, the myrrh-bearing women were hastening to Your tomb lamenting. But the Angel appeared to them and uttered, “The time for lamentation has ended; weep no more. Go announce the Resurrection to the Apostles.”
Blessed are You, O Lord, teach me Your statutes.
When the myrrh-bearing women had come with their spices to Your sepulcher, O Savior, they heard the voice of an Angel clearly speaking to them, “Why do you account among the dead the One who lives? For as God, He has risen from the sepulcher.”
Glory.
We bow down in worship to the Father and His Son and the Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity, one in essence; and we cry aloud with the Seraphim: Holy, Holy, Holy are You, O Lord.
Both now.
Giving birth to the Giver of life, O Virgin, you delivered Adam from sin, and to Eve you have rendered joy in place of sorrow. He who from you became incarnate, God and man, has directed to life him who fell from it.
Alleluia. Alleluia. Alleluia. Glory to You, O God. (3)
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For blessed is Your name, and glorified is Your kingdom, of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Hypakoe. Mode 1.
The robber’s repentance steals Paradise. The Myrrh-bearers’ mourning reveals the joy, for You had risen, O Christ our God, and granted to the world the great mercy. [GOASD]
CHOIR
Anavathmoi.
Antiphon 1. Mode 1.
In my affliction, I cry out to You, O Lord. Hear me in my grief. [GOASD]
The longing for God is unceasing in those who dwell in the desert, outside of the futile world as they are. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit, as to the Father and the Son, belong the honor and the glory. Therefore let us sing a hymn to the Trinity, the one and only Ruler. [GOASD]
Antiphon 2.
Having lifted me up to the mountains of Your laws, brighten me with virtues, O God, that I may praise You. [GOASD]
With Your right hand embracing me, O Logos, keep me safe and shelter me, so that the fire of sin not burn me. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
By the Holy Spirit all creation is renewed, and thus returns to its first state. For He is equal in power to the Father and the Logos. [GOASD]
Antiphon 3.
When they said to me, “Let us go into the courts of the Lord,” my spirit was glad and my heart rejoiced also. [GOASD]
Over the house of David there is great fear; for when thrones are set there, all the tribes and tongues of the earth will be judged. [GOASD]
Glory. Both now.
To the Holy Spirit the honor, worship, glory, and dominion that befit the Father and the Son should also be ascribed, for the Trinity is one in nature but not in persons. [GOASD]
Prokeimenon.
“Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly.” (2)
Verse: The words of the Lord are pure words, like silver fired in a furnace of earth, purified seven times.
“Now I will arise,” says the Lord; “I will establish them in salvation; I will declare it boldly.” [SAAS]
Ode 6: Short Litany
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For You are the King of peace and the savior of our souls, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
READER
From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Kontakion.
You rose from the tomb in glory as God, and You raised the world along with You. The human race extolled You as God, as death was obliterated, O Master. Now Adam dances, and Eve rejoices, freed from the bonds, and cries out, “O Christ, You have granted resurrection to all!” [GOASD]
Oikos.
Let us extol, as omnipotent God, the One who rose on the third day; for He smashed the gates of Hades, and He raised from their graves the dead from all time. As He wished He was seen by the Myrrh-bearing Women, to whom first He exclaimed, “Rejoice!” thus saying declaring to His Apostles the joy, as the only Giver of Life. Then the women in good faith bring good news of the proof of the victory to the Disciples. But Hades groans, and Death laments. The world exults, and everyone celebrates, O Christ, for You have granted resurrection to all! [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
Kontakion. For the Forefeast.
O Bethlehem, be glad, Ephrata, now be ready. * Behold, the human Ewe comes in haste to deliver * the great Shepherd, whom she bears * as a babe in her virgin womb. * And beholding Him, God-bearing Fathers and Shepherds * now exult in Him, and they sing praises extolling * the Virgin who nurses Him. [SD]
Oikos.
Perceiving the splendor of your childbirth shine forth, O Virgin, God-loving Abraham and the renowned Isaac and Jacob and the entire choir of saints assembled by God all rejoice. They have brought creation to greet you with joyful words. For you are the cause of joy for all, having conceived in your womb the very One who was seen in Babylon of old, and in a manner passing all understanding preserved unscathed the Servants who were thrown unjustly into the furnace. Therefore they sing praises to the One who was seen in the arms of the Maiden, extolling the Virgin who nurses Him. [SD]
Stand for the reading of the Synaxarion.
Synaxarion
From the Menaion.
On December 22, we commemorate the holy Great-martyr Anastasia Pharmacolytria.
On this day, the Sunday before the Nativity of Christ, we have been enjoined by our holy and God-bearing Fathers to commemorate all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, according to the genealogy, as the Evangelist Luke enumerated in historical order; and also the Prophets and Prophetesses.
We commemorate Adam and Eve, the first fashioned.
We commemorate the righteous Abel, the son of Adam.
We commemorate the righteous Seth, the son of Adam.
We commemorate the righteous Enosh, the son of Seth.
We commemorate the righteous Cainan, the son of Enosh.
We commemorate the righteous Mahalalel, the son of Cainan.
We commemorate the righteous Jared, the son of Mahalalel.
We commemorate the righteous Enoch, the son of Jared.
We commemorate the righteous Methuselah, the son of Enoch.
We commemorate the righteous Lamech, the son of Methuselah.
We commemorate the righteous Noah, the son of Lamech.
We commemorate the righteous Shem, the son of Noah.
We commemorate the righteous Japheth, the son of Noah.
We commemorate the righteous Arphaxad, the son of Shem.
We commemorate the righteous Cainan, the son of Arphaxad.
We commemorate the righteous Shelah, the son of Cainan.
We commemorate the righteous Eber, from whom the Jews were called Hebrews.
We commemorate the righteous Peleg, the son of Eber.
We commemorate Reu, the son of Peleg.
We commemorate the righteous Serug, the son of Reu.
We commemorate the righteous Nahor, the son of Serug.
We commemorate the righteous Terah, the son of Nahor.
We commemorate the righteous Patriarch Abraham, the son of Terah.
We commemorate the Patriarch Isaac, the son of Abraham.
We commemorate the Patriarch Jacob, the son of Isaac.
We commemorate the Patriarch Reuben, the son of Jacob.
We commemorate the Patriarch Simeon, the son of Jacob.
We commemorate the Patriarch Levi, the son of Jacob.
We commemorate the Patriarch Judah, the son of Jacob, from whose tribe Christ was born.
We commemorate the Patriarch Zebulun, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was by the sea.
We commemorate the Patriarch Issachar, the son of Jacob, whose tribe cultivated the earth.
We commemorate the Patriarch Dan, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was the tribe of Judges.
We commemorate the Patriarch Gad, the son of Jacob, whose tribe is plundered and plundering.
We commemorate the Patriarch Asher, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was wealthy in wheatlands.
We commemorate the Patriarch Naphtali, the son of Jacob, whose tribe became a great multitude.
We commemorate the Patriarch Joseph, the son of Jacob, whose tribe was right glorious and illustrious.
We commemorate the Patriarch Benjamin, the son of Jacob, whose tribe, though once fierce, became gentle.
We commemorate Perez and Zerah, the twins, the sons of Judah the Patriarch.
We commemorate Hezron, the son of Perez.
We commemorate Ram, the son of Hezron.
We commemorate Amminadab, the son of Ram.
We commemorate Nahshon, the son of Amminadab.
We commemorate Salmon, the son of Nahshon.
We commemorate Boaz, the son of Salmon.
We commemorate Obed, the son of Boaz by Ruth.
We commemorate Jesse, the son of Obed.
We commemorate David the King, the son of Jesse.
We commemorate Solomon the King, the son of David.
We commemorate Rehoboam the King, the son of Solomon.
We commemorate Abijah the King, the son of Rehoboam.
We commemorate Asa the King, the son of Abijah.
We commemorate Jehoshaphat the King, the son of Asa.
We commemorate Joram the King, the son of Jehoshaphat.
We commemorate Uzziah the King, the son of Joram.
We commemorate Jotham the King, the son of Uzziah.
We commemorate Ahaz the King, the son of Jotham.
We commemorate Hezekiah the King, the son of Ahaz.
We commemorate Manasseh the King, the son of Hezekiah.
We commemorate Amon the King, the son of Manasseh.
We commemorate Josiah the King son of Amon.
We commemorate Jeconiah the King, the son of Josiah.
We commemorate Shealtiel, the son of Jeconiah.
We commemorate Zerubbabel, who again raised up the Temple in Jerusalem when it had been burned.
We commemorate Abiud, the son of Zerubbabel.
We commemorate Eliakim, the son of Abiud.
We commemorate Azor, the son of Eliakim.
We commemorate Zadok, the son of Azor.
We commemorate Achim, the son of Zadok.
We commemorate Eliud, the son of Achim.
We commemorate Eleazar, the son of Eliud.
We commemorate Matthan, the son of Eleazar.
We commemorate Jacob, the son of Matthan.
We commemorate Joseph the Betrothed, the son of Jacob.
We commemorate the righteous Melchizedek.
We commemorate the righteous Job.
We commemorate the Prophet Moses, and Hur and Aaron the Priests.
We commemorate Joshua the son of Nun.
We commemorate the holy Prophet Samuel.
We commemorate the Prophet Nathan.
We commemorate the holy Prophet Daniel.
We commemorate the holy Three Servants.
We commemorate the righteous Sarah, the wife of Abraham.
We commemorate the righteous Rebecca, the wife of Isaac.
We commemorate the righteous Leah, the first wife of Jacob.
We commemorate the righteous Rachel, the second wife of Jacob.
We commemorate the righteous Asenath, the wife of Joseph the All-comely.
We commemorate the righteous Miriam, the sister of Moses.
We commemorate the righteous Deborah, who judged Israel.
We commemorate the righteous Ruth.
We commemorate the righteous Widow of Zarephath, unto whom Elijah was sent.
We commemorate the righteous Shunammite Woman, the gave hospitality to Elisha.
We commemorate the righteous Judith, who slew Holofernes.
We commemorate the righteous Esther, who delivered Israel from death.
We commemorate the righteous Hannah, the mother of Samuel the Prophet.
We commemorate the righteous Susanna.
By their holy intercessions, O God, have mercy on us and save us. Amen.
Katavasias Odes 1-8
CHOIR
Katavasias of Christmas I
Ode i. Mode 1.
Christ is born; glorify Him! * Christ is come from heaven; go and meet Him. * Christ is on earth; arise to Him. * Sing to the Lord, all you who dwell on the earth; * and in merry spirits, O you peoples, praise His birth. * For He is glorified. [GOASD]
Ode iii.
To the Son, begotten * without flux, of the Father, before the ages, * and who was lately made incarnate * of the Virgin without seed; * to Christ God now let us cry aloud: * You have exalted the horn of our strength. Only You are holy, O Lord. [GOASD]
Ode iv.
Jesse’s root produced a branch, O Christ, * and You its flower blossomed forth, * from the Virgin who by Habakkuk prophetically once was called * overshadowed, dense mountain. * From her who knew not man You came incarnate, * the immaterial God. * Glory to Your strength, O Lord. [GOASD]
Ode v.
God of peace and Father of mercies, Your Son * You have sent unto us as Your messenger, * the Angel of great counsel who is granting peace. * Therefore having been guided to the light of godly knowledge, * waking from the night to dawn, we sing Your glory, O benevolent Lord. [GOASD]
Ode vi.
Such as it received * Jonah as an embryo, the sea beast disgorged him from its bowels intact. * With the Virgin, though, when the Logos had dwelt in her taking on flesh, * He came forth from her preserving her yet incorrupt. * For from her no fluxion suffered He, * and He kept her unaltered in childbirth. [GOASD]
Ode vii.
The Servants nurtured piously together, * with contempt regarding the impious king’s decree, * intrepidly faced the threat of holocaust, * and while standing in the midst of flames they chanted thus, * saying: O God of the fathers, You are blessed. [GOASD]
Ode viii.
We praise and we bless and we worship the Lord.
Babylon’s bedewing furnace bore the image * of an extraordinary wonder. * For it did not burn the youths it accepted, * nor did the fire of Divinity consume the Virgin’s womb wherein it went. * So let us melodiously chant in praise: * Let all creation bless and extol the Lord, * and let it exalt Him supremely to the ages. [GOASD]
Stand for the Gospel reading.
DEACON: Let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
For You, our God, are holy, and You rest among the holy ones, and to You we offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Mode 2.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. (2) Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
DEACON
Let us pray to the Lord our God that we may be made worthy to hear the holy Gospel.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy. (3)
DEACON
Wisdom. Arise. Let us hear the holy Gospel.
PRIEST: Peace be with all.
CHOIR: And with your spirit.
PRIEST
The reading is from the holy Gospel according to Luke.
DEACON: Let us be attentive.
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
PRIEST (from the altar table)
Eothinon 4
Luke. 24:1 – 12
On the first day of the week at early dawn, the women went to the tomb, taking spices which they had prepared. And they found the stone rolled away from the tomb, but when they went in they did not find the body of the Lord Jesus. While they were perplexed about this, behold, two men stood by them in dazzling apparel; and as they were frightened and bowed their faces to the ground, the men said to them, “Why do you seek the living among the dead? He is not here, but has risen. Remember how he told you, while he was still in Galilee, that the Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and on the third day rise.” And they remembered his words and returning from the tomb they told all this to the eleven and to all the rest. Now it was Mary Magdalene and Joanna and Mary the mother of James and the other women with them who told this to the Apostles; but these words seemed to them an idle tale, and they did not believe them. But Peter rose and ran to the tomb; stooping and looking in, he saw the linen cloths by themselves; and he went home wondering at what had happened. [RSV]
CHOIR
Glory to You, O Lord, glory to You.
READER
Having beheld the Resurrection of Christ, let us worship the holy Lord Jesus, the only sinless one. Your Cross, O Christ, we venerate, and Your holy Resurrection we praise and glorify. For You are our God; apart from You we know no other; we call upon Your name. Come, all faithful, let us venerate the holy Resurrection of Christ; for behold, through the Cross, joy has come to the whole world. Ever blessing the Lord, let us praise His Resurrection; for having endured the Cross for us, He destroyed death by death. [GOA]
CHOIR
Psalm 50 (51).
Mode 2. (or the Mode of the week)
Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Wash me thoroughly from my lawlessness and cleanse me from my sin.
For I know my lawlessness, and my sin is always before me.
Against You only have I sinned and done evil in Your sight; that You may be justified in Your words, and overcome when You are judged.
For behold, I was conceived in transgressions, and in sins my mother bore me.
Behold, You love truth; You showed me the unknown and secret things of Your wisdom.
You shall sprinkle me with hyssop, and I will be cleansed; You shall wash me, and I will be made whiter than snow.
You shall make me hear joy and gladness; my bones that were humbled shall greatly rejoice.
Turn Your face from my sins, and blot out all my transgressions.
Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me.
Do not cast me away from Your presence, and do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me with Your guiding Spirit.
I will teach transgressors Your ways, and the ungodly shall turn back to You.
Deliver me from bloodguiltiness, O God, the God of my salvation, and my tongue shall greatly rejoice in Your righteousness.
O Lord, You shall open my lips, and my mouth will declare Your praise.
For if You desired sacrifice, I would give it; You will not be pleased with whole burnt offerings.
A sacrifice to God is a broken spirit, a broken and humbled heart God will not despise.
Do good, O Lord, in Your good pleasure to Zion, and let the walls of Jerusalem be built.
Then You will be pleased with a sacrifice of righteousness, with offerings and whole burnt offerings.
Then shall they offer young bulls on Your altar. And have mercy on me, O God. [SAAS]
Glory.
At the intercession of the Apostles, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Both now.
At the intercession of the Theotokos, O Lord of mercy, blot out my many offenses. [SD]
Verse: Have mercy on me, O God, according to Your great mercy; and according to the abundance of Your compassion, blot out my transgression.
Jesus, having risen from the grave as He foretold, has granted us eternal life and great mercy. [SD]
PRIEST
O God, save Your people and bless Your inheritance. Look upon Your world with mercy and compassion. Raise the Orthodox Christians in glory, and send down upon us Your rich mercies:
through the intercessions of our all-immaculate Lady Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, by the power of the precious and life-giving Cross, the protection of the honorable, heavenly, bodiless powers, the supplications of the honorable, glorious prophet and forerunner John the Baptist, the holy, glorious, and praiseworthy apostles, our fathers among the saints, the great hierarchs and ecumenical teachers Basil the Great, Gregory the Theologian, and John Chrysostom; Athanasios, Cyril, and John the Merciful, patriarchs of Alexandria, Nicholas, bishop of Myra, Spyridon, bishop of Trimythous, Nektarios of Pentapolis, the wonderworkers; the holy, glorious, great martyrs George the triumphant, Demetrios the myrrh-streamer, Theodore the soldier, and Theodore the general; Menas the wonderworker; Charalambos and Eleutherios, the hieromartyrs; the holy, glorious, and victorious martyrs; the glorious great Martyr and all-laudable Euphemia; the holy and glorious Martyrs Thecla, Barbara, Anastasia, Katherine, Kyriake, Fotene, Marina, Paraskeve and Irene; our venerable and God-bearing fathers; (local patron saint); holy and righteous ancestors of God Joachim and Anna; all those who from the beginning of time were well-pleasing to God, from Adam to Joseph the Betrothed of the Most Holy Theotokos, whose memory we observe; and all Your saints:
We beseech you, only merciful Lord, hear us sinners who pray to you and have mercy on us.
CHOIR
Lord, have mercy. (12)
PRIEST
Through the mercy, compassion, and love for humankind of Your only-begotten Son, with whom You are blessed, and Your all-holy, good and life-creating Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
Stand for the singing of Ode ix.
DEACON
Let us honor and magnify in song the Theotokos and the Mother of the light.
CHOIR
Ode ix.
The Magnificat. Mode 1.
Verse: My soul magnifies the Lord, and my spirit has rejoiced in God my Savior. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He has regarded the lowly state of His maidservant; for behold, henceforth all generations will call me blessed. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: For He who is mighty has done great things for me, and holy is His name. And His mercy is on those who fear Him from generation to generation. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has shown strength with His arm; He has scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has put down the mighty from their thrones, and exalted the lowly. He has filled the hungry with good things, and the rich He has sent away empty. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Verse: He has helped His servant Israel, in remembrance of His mercy, as He spoke to our fathers, to Abraham and to his seed forever. [NKJV]
Greater in honor than the Cherubim, and in glory greater beyond compare than the Seraphim; you without corruption gave birth to God the Word, and are truly Theotokos. You do we magnify. [GOASD]
Ode 9: Katavasia
Ode ix. Katavasia. Mode 1.
O my soul, magnify her who is greater in honor and in glory than the armies of heaven.
I see here a strange and paradoxical mystery. * For, behold, the grotto is heaven; * cherubic throne is the Virgin; * the manger a grand space * in which Christ our God the uncontainable reclined as a babe; * Whom in extolling do we magnify. [GOASD]
PRIEST
Again and again in peace let us pray to the Lord.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Help us, save us, have mercy on us, and protect us, O God, by Your grace.
CHOIR: Lord, have mercy.
PRIEST
Remembering our all-holy, immaculate, most blessed, and glorious Lady, the Theotokos and ever-virgin Mary, with all the saints, let us commend ourselves and one another and our whole life to Christ our God.
CHOIR: To You, O Lord.
PRIEST
For all the powers of heaven praise You, and to You they offer up glory, to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, now and ever and to the ages of ages.
CHOIR: Amen.
CHOIR
Mode 2.
Holy is the Lord our God. [SAAS] (2)
Exalt the Lord our God, and worship at the footstool of His feet.
For He is holy.
From Octoechos - - -
Exaposteilarion.
Eothinon 4.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
Let us with virtues dazzling bright * picture the two men standing * at the life-bearing sepulcher * in their dazzling apparel, * beside the Myrrh-bearing Women, * frightened and bowing their faces. * With Peter, let us also run * to life inside the tomb, now that we have learned * that the Lord of heaven has truly risen. * Let us marvel at what transpired, * and let us stay to see Christ. [GOASD]
From Menaion - - -
For the Forefathers.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
The foremost of the Patriarchs,* Fathers before the Law came,* brightly shone forth by means of faith,* Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob,* as very bright luminaries.* Thereafter all the Prophets* and all the Righteous were from them* lit up as lamps, and thus they began to shine;* Therefore by the rays of their God-inspired* Prophecy they illumined all* the bedarkened creation. [SD]
From Menaion - - -
For the Forefeast.
Mode 2. Let us in faith.
Τοῖς Μαθηταῖς συνέλθωμεν.
O Bethlehem, rejoice; and you * Ephrata, now make ready. * The Theotokos comes to give * birth unto God ineffably * in a cave and a manger. * O! what an awesome mystery. * Prophets and all the Patriarchs, * Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and all the rest, * now together merrily keep the Forefeast * of His divine Nativity* with mankind and the angels. [SD]
Lauds. Mode 1.
Let everything that breathes praise the Lord. Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the highest. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Praise Him, all you His angels; praise Him, all you His hosts. It is fitting to sing a hymn to You, O God. [SAAS]
Show Stichologia
Praise Him, sun and moon; praise Him, all you stars and light.
Praise Him, you heavens of heavens, and you waters above the heavens. Let them praise the Lord’s name.
For He spoke, and they were made; He commanded, and they were created.
He established them forever and unto ages of ages; He set forth His ordinance, and it shall not pass away.
Praise the Lord from the earth, you dragons and all the deeps.
Fire and hail, snow and ice, stormy wind, which perform His word.
Mountains and all the hills, fruitful trees and all cedars.
Wild animals and all cattle, creeping things and flying birds.
Kings of the earth and all peoples, princes and all judges of the earth.
Young men and maidens, elders with younger, let them praise the Lord’s name, for His name alone is exalted.
His thanksgiving is in earth and heaven. And He shall exalt the horn of His people.
A hymn for all His saints, for the children of Israel, a people who draw near to Him.
Sing to the Lord a new song, His praise in the assembly of His holy ones.
Let Israel be glad in Him who made him, and let the children of Zion greatly rejoice in their King.
Let them praise His name with dance; with tambourine and harp let them sing to Him.
For the Lord is pleased with His people, and He shall exalt the gentle with salvation.
The holy ones shall boast in glory, and they shall greatly rejoice on their beds.
The high praise of God shall be in their mouth and a two-edged sword in their hand.
To deal retribution to the nations, reproving among the peoples.
To shackle their kings with chains and their nobles with fetters of iron.
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From Octoechos - - -
Resurrectional Stichera.
Mode 1.
To fulfill among them the written judgment: this glory have all His holy ones. [SAAS]
We extol Your saving Passion, O Christ, and we glorify Your resurrection. [GOASD]
Mode 1.
Praise God in His saints; praise Him in the firmament of His power. [SAAS]
You endured crucifixion, and You abolished death, and You rose from the dead. We pray You grant us a peaceful life, O Lord, as the only Almighty One. [GOASD]
Mode 1.
Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to the abundance of His greatness. [SAAS]
You plundered Hades, and You raised humanity, by Your resurrection, O Christ. We pray You grant us to extol You and glorify You with a pure heart. [GOASD]
Mode 1.
Praise Him with the sound of trumpet; praise Him with the harp and lyre. [SAAS]
We glorify Your divine condescension, and we extol You, O Christ. From the Virgin You were born, and from the Father You remained inseparable. As a man You suffered and voluntarily endured the Cross. As one emerging from a bridal chamber, You rose from the sepulcher, in order to save the world. Glory to You, O Lord! [GOASD]
For the Forefathers.
Mode pl. 1. Rejoice.
Χαίροις ἀσκητικῶν.
Praise Him with timbrel and dance; praise Him with strings and flute. [SAAS]
Zion the holy city of God, * lift up your voices, truly heralding the divine * memorial of the Fathers, * as you pay honor to them, * Abraham and Isaac, with Jacob the acclaimed. * With Judah and Levi, behold we now also magnify * Moses the great one, along with Aaron the God-inspired, * and we honor David and Joshua and Samuel. * All of us, striking up divine * and sacred forefestal hymns * in praise of Christ, are in earnest * entreating Him that we may obtain * the gift of His goodness * that derives from Him who grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]
Praise Him with resounding cymbals; praise Him with triumphant cymbals; let everything that breathes praise the Lord. [SAAS]
Zion the holy city of God, * lift up your voices, truly heralding the divine * memorial of the Fathers, * as you pay honor to them, * Abraham and Isaac, with Jacob the acclaimed. * With Judah and Levi, behold we now also magnify * Moses the great one, along with Aaron the God-inspired, * and we honor David and Joshua and Samuel. * All of us, striking up divine * and sacred forefestal hymns * in praise of Christ, are in earnest * entreating Him that we may obtain * the gift of His goodness * that derives from Him who grants His great mercy to the world. [SD]
Verse: Blessed are You, O Lord God of our fathers, for You are praiseworthy and exalted beyond measure unto the ages. [SAAS]
Come now Prophet Elias who once * became the rider of the divine fiery chariot, * Elisha the godly-minded, * and Hezekiah as well, * with Josiah also, together rejoice. * And you the august band of dozen Prophets inspired by God, * join in the chorus for the Savior’s Nativity, * and you Righteous all sing His praises in holy song. * Trinity of the blessed Youths * who put out the furnace fire * with the dew of the Spirit, * make supplication on our behalf * to Christ importunely * and implore Him that great mercy be given to our souls. [SD]
Verse: For You are righteous in all You did for us. [SAAS]
She who from all the ages on earth * in the predictions of the Prophets is heralded, * the Virgin and Theotokos, * has now appeared, whom the wise * Patriarchs and Righteous openly declare. * With them joining chorus is the adornment of womanhood, * Sarah, Rebecca, also Rachel and Hannah too, * as well as Moses’ sister the glorious Miriam. * With them together now exult * the far reaches of the world, * and all creation rejoices. * For His nativity in the flesh * is God himself coming, * and in order to bestow His great mercy on the world. [SD]
From Menaion - - -
Glory. For the Forefathers.
Mode pl. 4.
The collection of the teachings of the Law makes Christ’s divine Nativity in the flesh apparent to those who preached the gospel of Grace before the Law was given and were above the Law by virtue of their faith. Therefore to the souls held in Hades, they announced the Nativity beforehand, that it would be the cause of the deliverance from corruption, through the resurrection. Glory to You, O Lord. [SD]
From Octoechos - - -
Both now. Theotokion.
You are supremely blessed, O Virgin Theotokos. For through Him who from you became incarnate, Hades has been captured, and Adam has been called back; the curse has been killed, and Eve has been freed; death has been put to death, and we have been brought back to life. Therefore we extol Him and cry out, “O Christ our God, You are blessed, for so was Your good pleasure. Glory to You!” [GOASD]
Stand for the Great Doxology.
Great Doxology
Glory be to You who showed the light. Glory in the highest to God. His peace is on earth, His good pleasure in mankind. [SD]
We praise You, we bless You, we worship You, we glorify You, we give thanks to You for Your great glory.
Lord King, heavenly God, Father, Ruler over all; Lord, only-begotten Son, Jesus Christ; and You, O Holy Spirit.
Lord God, Lamb of God, Son of the Father, who take away the sin of the world, have mercy on us, You who take away the sins of the world.
Accept our supplication, You who sit at the right hand of the Father, and have mercy on us.
For You alone are holy, You alone are Lord, Jesus Christ, to the glory of God the Father. Amen.
Every day I will bless You, and Your name will I praise to eternity, and to the ages of ages.
Vouchsafe, O Lord, this day, that we be kept without sin.
Blessed are You, O Lord, the God of our fathers, and praised and glorified is Your name to the ages. Amen.
Let Your mercy be on us, O Lord, as we have set our hope on You.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Blessed are You, O Lord. Teach me Your statutes.
Lord, You have been our refuge from generation to generation. I said: Lord, have mercy on me. Heal my soul, for I have sinned against You.
Lord, I have fled to You. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God.
For with You is the fountain of life; in Your light we shall see light.
Continue Your mercy to those who know You.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us. (3)
Glory to the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.
Both now and ever and to the ages of ages. Amen.
Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
Holy God, Holy Mighty, Holy Immortal, have mercy on us.
After the Doxology, sing the following Resurrectional Troparion.
Mode 4. (or the Mode of the week)
Today has salvation come to pass in the world. Let us sing to Him who resurrected from the tomb and is the Author of our life. For, destroying death by death, He gave us the victory and the great mercy. [SD]